Chicago's FY2026 Adopted Budget: Still Short of the Mark
by Grant McClintock and Daniel VeseckyThe final FY2026 City of Chicago budget, passed by City Council on…
by Daniel VeseckyIn October of 2025, Mayor Brandon Johnson released his proposed 2026 budget, which aims to close a deficit…
By Lily PadulaClick here to read the full report.Executive SummaryThe recent federal government shutdown caused nationwide disruptions in…
by Grant McClintock Since opening in September 2023, Chicago’s temporary casino has consistently underperformed revenue expectations. Presented as a potential windfall to support Chicago’s underfunded police and fire pensions, every…
by Daniel Vesecky Note: This summary was prepared in advance of the November 10, 2025, hearing to serve as an easy reference for City Council members, media, advocates, and Chicago residents.With the City of Chicago (Chicago or the ‘…
by Grant McClintock Most of the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD, or the ‘Department’) spending (96.5%) is budgeted through the City’s Corporate Fund, or general operating fund. This analysis provides a snapshot of CPD spending within…
by Daniel VeseckyIn 2019, the City of Chicago (Chicago or the ‘City’) had a budget of $8.9 billion, excluding grants from the State of Illinois (Illinois or the ‘State’) and the Federal government. By 2025, expenditures had grown to $12.4…
By Lily Padula Each fall, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) issues its…
By Paula R. Worthington Over 41 million individuals rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) to assist in buying food each month—including nearly 1.9 million individuals in Illinois. The current…